The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians against the use of drugs sold in the open markets. Noting that it’s poisonous and dangerous to human health.
The NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the revelation at the North-Central media sensitization workshop on the dangers of drug hawking and ripening of fruits with calcium carbide in Lafia on Monday.
Adeyeye, represented by Dr Leonard Omokpariola, said that ripening of fruits with calcium carbide is poisonous and dangerous to the health of consumers.
“The menace of drug hawking poses a serious challenge to the healthcare delivery system in the country and this underscored NAFDAC’s resolute determination to totally eradicate the illicit trade.
“Most of the drugs sold by the illiterate and semi-literate drug hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired; and therefore, do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy requirement of regulated medicines.
“Prescription drugs are also sold by the itinerant drug hawkers who consult, recommend and prescribe medicines to their gullible patients,” she reiterated.
She noted that drugs are sensitive life-saving commodities which should not be sold on the streets, motor parks or open markets like any other items.
Adeyeye stressed the need for people to use natural methods of ripening mature fruits such as the use of paper bags, flour, rice, decomposing apple and banana peels.
Additionally, She warned that the agency would prosecute any drug hawker or person caught using calcium carbide to ripen fruits.
The NAFDAC Nasarawa State Coordinator, Mr Omoyeni Babatunji, said the media is a versatile communication tool helping to deliver information to aid behavioral change and development.
“NAFDAC believes that timely dissemination of quality information will bridge the gap on public ignorance around prevailing and emerging issues of sub-standard goods and use of harmful chemicals, hence this collaborative workshop,” he added.
